Egypt’s textile industry threatened by temporary ban on cotton imports

Tuesday’s decision by Egypt's agriculture ministry to temporarily ban cotton imports, it says to protect domestic cotton production, is stirring fears among experts that the country's own textile industry may end up paying the price.

The decision dictates that all imported cotton will not be allowed in the country for an indefinite period of time, excluding imports shipped before 4 July.

According to the government, it intends to protect and improve marketing for domestic cotton production, and “defend the interests of cotton producers, manufacturers and exporters”.

However, in a country where textile manufacturing is highly dependent on imported short-staple cotton, a crop rarely grown in Egypt, the decision has sparked fears of a backlash on the domestic spinning and weaving industry.